Reviews

Black cherry; clove; plums; luscious fruit.

This wine shows depth and balance, offering a classic nose of ripe dark fruit, vanilla and eucalyptus. Some crushed-stone minerality, too. Full-bodied and dense with impressive concentration, viscous tannins and bright acidity. Fresh and juicy aftertaste. Lovely now, but better in 2023.

This is the first vintage of this new label by Buena Vista, commemorating the year it was founded. The 2018 Red Wine 1857 is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc. The Cabernet Sauvignon is from the Morris vineyard on Diamond Mountain, the Petit Verdot was harvested from the Larkmead vineyard in Calistoga, and the Cabernet Franc is from the Casa Nuestra vineyard in St. Helena. It was aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, 45% new. Very deep purple-black colored, it slowly unfurls to reveal fantastically fragrant notes of candied violets, star anise, clove oil and chocolate mints, over a core of crème de cassis, Black Forest cake and blueberry pie with hints of pencil shavings and fallen leaves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with rich, seductive black and blue fruit layers, framed by oh-so-plush tannins and a seamless line of freshness, finishing very long and perfumed. Only 50 cases were made. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown

... wafting out of the glass with the most gorgeous perfume of kirsch, blackcurrant cordial, blackberry preserves and spice cake, followed by notes of potpourri, oolong tea and unsmoked cigars. The full-bodied, decadently fruited palate delivers loads of savory accents among the juicy black and red fruit layers, supported by velvety tannins and bags of freshness, finishing long and fragrant. 

-Lisa Perrotti-Brown

The 2018 Phi is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, coming from a single vineyard in St. Helena. It was aged in 100% new French oak barrels. Deep garnet-purple in color, it delivers powerful scents of crème de cassis, blueberry compote and Black Forest cake with suggestions of eucalyptus, mocha, licorice and tilled soil. Full-bodied, super concentrated and laden with black and blue fruit preserves flavors, it has a solid yet plush frame of exquisitely ripe tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with epically long-lasting exotic spice notes. One for the hedonists! Only 25 cases were made.

The 2018 Passion is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot coming from vineyards in Oakville, St. Helena and Rutherford. Deep garnet-purple colored, it sashays out of the glass with a compelling perfume of Morello cherries, red and black currant jelly, preserved plums and rose oil, plus hints of cardamom, Chinese five spice and fragrant earth. The full-bodied palate is rich and voluptuous, framed by velvety tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with lots of layers and epic length. 296 cases were made.

The 2018 Cabernet Franc No. 17 is made from 100% Cabernet Franc, from the east side of St. Helena on volcanic/obsidian-rich soils. It was aged in French oak, 50% new. Deep garnet-purple in color, it springs from the glass with vivacious scents of Morello cherries, black raspberries and redcurrant jelly with hints of menthol, chocolate box, pencil shavings and Ceylon tea. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with crunchy red and black fruits, supported by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing long with a skip in its step. 49 cases were made.

Composed of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot, the 2018 Surrealist was aged in French oak barrels, 59% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it wafts slowly, sensuously out of the glass with notes of star anise, cumin seed, clove oil and potpourri over a core of blackcurrant cordial, blueberry pie and raspberry coulis. Full-bodied, the palate is coated with decadent black and red berry preserves and loads of spicy sparks, framed by fine-grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing on a lingering mineral note. 299 cases were made.

The 2018 Phi is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, coming from a single vineyard in St. Helena. It was aged in 100% new French oak barrels. Deep garnet-purple in color, it delivers powerful scents of crème de cassis, blueberry compote and Black Forest cake with suggestions of eucalyptus, mocha, licorice and tilled soil. Full-bodied, super concentrated and laden with black and blue fruit preserves flavors, it has a solid yet plush frame of exquisitely ripe tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with epically long-lasting exotic spice notes. One for the hedonists! Only 25 cases were made.

Composed of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Syrah, 16% Petit Verdot and 10% Malbec, the 2018 Leopard has a deep garnet-purple color and needs a little swirling and coaxing to reveal seductive scents of Black Forest cake, blackcurrant pastilles, boysenberries and black raspberries with suggestions of forest floor, sandalwood, Sichuan pepper and licorice. The full-bodied palate has a serious, age-worthy structure of firm, rounded tannins and bold freshness supporting the generous black fruit layers, finishing long and spicy. Yum! 98 cases were made.